Garry Oaks Folks

"Have you ever done this before?" people have asked us. "Which part, exactly?" we reply. What seems like an odd career shift to others is a perfectly natural progression to us.

Marcel Mercier (Vineyard Guru)

Marcel's interest in wine began in his youth when his grandmother taught him to make fruit wine (proving that even the cool climes of northern Alberta cannot daunt the French spirit). He also showed an early proclivity to agriculture (ask him about the 50 lb. pumpkin he grew when he was ten) and chemistry (...and about almost getting busted for building a still when he was sixteen).

He subsequently applied his love of the earth and intensely analytical mind (ask his friends about how thoroughly he researches something) to developing land and resource management systems. After one too many long distance flights, he decided to find a place and put down some roots. With his many years of project management experience (I've always brought my projects in on time and within budget), Marcel is in his element juggling the many and varied tasks associated with turning an old farm into an estate winery. Add some fascinating science, and he is a happy man.

Elaine Kozak (Winemaker)

Elaine got her first taste of the good life when she worked as an au pair for a wealthy French family (you wouldn't believe their wine cellar). While in France she also picked grapes in the Champagne region with a band of gypsies (it was back-breaking and miserable and I loved it).

After degrees in psychology, information sciences, and international political economy (ouch!) and many years doing public policy work related to industry and trade development, she is finally applying her knowledge to something real. Elaine thoroughly enjoyed her studies in winemaking (part science, part magic, and lots of measurement) and wine analysis (your taste is in your mouth, dear) and has followed her bliss into the winery.

The hardest part of this whole undertaking is explaining to her mother why, after doing so well, she is back living on a farm.

Photo courtesy of Howard Fry